Last Updated on August 3, 2026
When I was growing up and road-tripping with my family, staying in ‘big-chain’ hotel wasn’t an option. Though the Holiday Inns and other corporate hotels beginning to dot the landscape in the ‘60s gave travelers many more options, in my mind, they could never replace the friendly, affordable, and often funky roadside motels that offered a more personal overnight travel experience.
There’s something undeniably special about crashing at a mom-and-pop hotel or motel when you’re on the road. These small, family-run spots have a personality of their own. Think quirky decorations, a homemade breakfast prepared with love and care, or a chat with an owner who knows every nook of the town you’re passing through.
In essence, they’re more than just places to rest your head — they’re little windows into the soul of a destination, packed with stories and charm that turn a trip into something memorable.
Gunther Volkswagen Fort Lauderdale polled over 3,000 frequent road-trippers about their favorite family run hotels and motels across the U.S. Here are some of their responses across the States.
The Upham Hotel: Santa Barbara, California
Set in a garden nook in Santa Barbara, The Upham Hotel is a historic, family-operated boutique that’s all about understated elegance. Rooms are refined, but never stuffy, with a welcoming vibe that pairs perfectly with the greenery outside your window.
The hotel, according to local guide Eliza Shaffy, has been around since the 19th century, and you can feel that legacy in the air—a quiet sophistication that makes it a peaceful escape from the bustle. This is a spot where you’re treated like more than just a name on the register.
Cactus Inn: McLean, Texas
The Cactus Inn in McLean is a charming, family-owned motel with clean, comfortable rooms and a nostalgic Route 66 ambiance that’s hard to beat. The friendly service hits you right away — warm and genuine — and the convenient location makes it a perfect pit stop. The folks who run it keep it cozy and inviting, ensuring you feel the hum of the open road in every stay.
This is a spot where the past rolls up and the welcomes keeps you smiling.
The Addison on Amelia Island: Fernandina Beach, Florida
Right in the heart of Fernandina Beach’s historic district, The Addison on Amelia Island is a family-operated inn that blends old-world charm with modern perks. You step in and immediately feel the history – creaky floors, classic architecture – but then there’s the comfort of today, making it a perfect mix.
The couple running the B&B keep it personal, ensuring you’re not just another guest but someone they’re glad to host. It’s a spot that feels rooted in the past yet fresh enough to make every visit special.
The Carlton Inn Bed & Breakfast: Oregon
In Oregon’s wine country, The Carlton Inn Bed & Breakfast is a family-run spot with comfortable rooms and a hearty breakfast to kick off your day. The vibe is cozy – think warm beds and a homey feel — and the location puts you right in the thick of vineyard charm.
The folks running it keep it personal and inviting, making sure you’ve got a perfect base for sipping and exploring. This is a stay that’s all about the simple pleasures of wine and welcome.
Maple Hill Manor Bed & Breakfast: Springfield, Kentucky
Set in a historic antebellum home in Springfield, Maple Hill Manor Bed & Breakfast is a family-run spot that’s got luxury and charm in spades. The rooms are plush and inviting – perfect for sinking into, and the alpaca farm tours add a fun, quirky twist to your stay.
It’s warm and personal, ensuring you feel the history without missing out on comfort. A peaceful retreat that’s as unique as it is delightful.
Other top family run hotels in each state that made the favorites list include:
- Magnolia Springs Bed & Breakfast, Magnolia Springs, Alabama
- Chena Hot Springs Resort, Fairbanks, Alaska
- Canyon Wren Cabins, Sedona, Arizona
- The 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, Eureka Springs, Arkansas
- The Strater Hotel, Durango, Colorado
- The Whaler’s Inn, Mystic, Connecticut
- The Homestead Bed & Breakfast at Rehoboth Beach, Rehoboth Beach Delaware
- The Kehoe House, Savannah, Georgia
- Kona Tiki Hotel, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
- Dog Bark Park Inn Bed & Breakfast, Cottonwood, Idaho
- Market Street Inn Bed and Breakfast, Taylorville, Illinois
- Treetop Retreat, Nashville, Indiana
- The Blackhawk Hotel, Cedar Falls, Iowa
- The Barn Bed and Breakfast Inn, Valley Falls, Kansas
- Grand Victorian Bed & Breakfast, New Orleans, Louisiana
- The Chadwick Bed & Breakfast, Portland, Maine
- The Flag House Inn, Annapolis, Maryland
- The Red Lion Inn, Stockbridge, Massachusetts
- The Kalamazoo House Bed & Breakfast, Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Allyndale Motel, Duluth, Minnesota
- The Corners Mansion Inn, Vicksburg, Mississippi
- The Cottage Bed & Breakfast, Hermann, Missouri
- Dude Rancher Lodge, Billings, Montana
- Vision Inn Motel, Falls City, Nebraska
- The Overland Hotel & Saloon, Pioche, Nevada
- Lovett’s Inn, Franconia, New Hampshire
- The Wooden Duck Bed & Breakfast, Newton, New Jersey
- Silver Saddle Motel, Santa Fe, New Mexico
- The Roxbury, Roxbury, New York
- The Swag, Waynesville, North Carolina
- The Williston Boutique Hotel, Williston, North Dakota
- The Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast, Millersburg, Ohio
- The Whispering Pines Inn, Norman, Oklahoma
- The Inn at Jim Thorpe, Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
- The Sea Breeze Inn, Middletown, Rhode Island
- The Rhett House Inn, Beaufort, South Carolina
- River Falls Lodging, Hot Springs, South Dakota
- Marshall’s Creek Rest Motel, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
- Recapture Lodge, Bluff, Utah
- Knotty Pine Motel, Bennington, Vermont
- The Red Fox Inn & Tavern, Middleburg, Virginia
- The Miller Tree Inn, Forks, Washington
- The Country Inn of Berkeley Springs, Berkeley Springs, West Virginia
- The Honeybee Inn Bed & Breakfast, Horicon, Wisconsin
- Twin Pines Lodge and Cabin Camp, Dubois, Wyoming
